Toy railway switch-throwing mechanism



W. E. HAUPT May 4, 1937.

TOY RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l @1 Inventar AIU@ kwh

May 4, 1937. W. E. HAUPT 2,079,251

TOY RAILWAY SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM Filed Aug. a, 1923 y sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 4, 1937 TOY RAILWAY SWITCH-THROWING MECHANISM nissart William E. Haupt, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner of one-half to Herbert C. Gray, Philadelphia,

Application August 8,

21 Claims.

My invention relates to electric switch equipment for toy electric trains.

A purpose of my invention is to provide equipment of the character indicated that will be adapted to greater ilexibility and sureness of switch control by the trains themselves.

A further purpose is to provide electrical means for operating a toy train switch automatically using electrical circuits closed by the trains when 1n they approach the switch from one of the branch lines to prevent derailing if improperly set.

A further purpose is to provide an electric lock operative to keep a toy train switch locked during the passage of the train over the switch and that leaves the switch free to be operated electrically when the train is not at the switch.

AA further purpose is to provide a toy railroad with alternative desirable forms of railroad switch-operating circuits and alternative desirable forms of electric contact members.

A further purpose is to provide a toy railroad with a desirable form of switch operating solenoid magnet.

Further purposes will appear in the specifica- 525 tion and in the claims.

I have elected to show one main form only, with minor detail modifications of myinvention, selecting aform that is lpractical and efficient in operation and which well illustrates the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view-showing a section of track including a switch with a single track on one side and two tracks on ythe other side, the switch being adapted to connect the single track before the switch alternatively to either track after the switch, with electrical connections embodying one form of my invention for operating the switch by the travel of the trains as modified by the hand operation of an operator.

In Figure 1a I have shown diagrammatically by single lines and to much reduced scale indicating the tracks, a plurality of tracks, loops and switch locations representing any one of a great variety of settings in which my invention may be used.

Figure 2 is a section taken upon the line 2--2 of Figure l, showing a wheel element of a train and contact equipment of my invention, both not shown in Figure l, carrying selectively adjustable contact members upon the train.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken'upon the :g5 line 4-4 'of Figure 1.

as aan 1928, Serial No. 298,265

Figures 5 to 9- are diagrammatic fragmentary views illustrating diierent forms of electric connections for the setting of the switch by the approach of the train from the two-track side of the switch, each form being perhaps under some conditions preferable to any of the others. y

Figures 10 and 1v1 are enlarged sections through a rail and rail contact member, adapted to close a circuit to operate or hold the switch when a train wheel engages the rail at the contact member, Figure 1 0 showing diagrammatic electrical connections as for a section taken upon the line Iii- I0 of Figure 1 and Figure 11 having diagrammatic electrical connections as for a section upon the line Iii-I0 of Figure l.

Like numerals refer to like parts in all figures.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:-

Referring to Figure 1, a switch section I0 is pivoted at II so as to be adapted to connect the track section I2 before the switch with either one of the track sections I3 and I4 after the switch.

A usual insulated third rail I5 is shown for feeding current to suitable motors on the trains, as indicated diagrammatically at I6 on a train element Il, the motor I6 having suitable operating connection, not shown, to the driving wheels I8 of the train and being electrically fed from the third rail by means of a suitable shoe collector I9.

The third rail portionv 20 that is inside the switch section is made wider than elsewhere because the shoe collector I9 has here to travel alternatively diverging paths, the third rail being-wide enough to contact with the shoe w-hichever branch the train takes.

The tops of the fixed rail sections 2I and 22 that cross the diverging branches of the third rail near the pivoted end of the switch lil are insulated where they cross the diverging branches of the third rail, at 23 and 24 respectively; to

avoid shorting the train motors when the shoe collectors are in simultaneous contact with the third rail and either one of the rail sections 2i or 22.

The third rail dips down underneath the xed to be surrounded by either one of two longitudinally spaced solenoids 30 and 3|.

The composite rod 28, 29, and 281 is desirably of uniform section and comprises brass end portions 28 and 28 and the soft-iron armature 29 between the brass ends.

The rod is longitudinally slidable in bearings 32 and 33 that may desirably be iron and form integral portions of an iron bracket for supporting the solenoids and that includes iron portions 34 and 35 which are adapted to complete the magnetic circuits when the armature is at the respective ends of its travel.

The armature 29 carries a laterally extending iron arm 36 which completes a magnetic circuit from the armature through the arm 36 and members 35 and 33 back to the armature when the solenoid 3I is energized and has pulled the armature to one end of its travel, that to connect the track sections I2 and I3; and when the solenoid 3D is energized (if solenoid 3| be then on open circuit) the armature 36 moves to the other end of its travel, stopping against the iron member 34, setting the switch to connect the track sections I2 and I4, and the magnetic circuit is completed from the armature 29 through the arm 36 and iron members 34 and 32 back to the armature.

The armature is resiliently held to place when in either one of its two set positions by a suitable spring latch member 29 so as to hold the switch to place when the solenoids are deenergized.

It will be seen that if either solenoid is energized while the other is on open circuit the armature moves into position to set the switch to one of the diverging tracks while if the other solenoid is energized and the rst is on open circuit, the switch is set to the other diverging track portion.

A suitable source of current, such as a battery 38 has one terminal grounded at 39 and its other -terminal electrically connected at 40 to the adjoining terminals of both solenoids.

The other terminals 4I and 42 respectively of the solenoids are connected preferably alternatively, to different contact members 43, 44 and 45 before the switch on the single track portion I2, and are respectively electrically connected to contact members 46 and 4'I in the diverging tracks I3 and I4.

Neither solenoid can pull the armature away from the other while the other is energized and either can pull it from the other if the other is not energized.

The track rails 48 are also grounded, at 49.

It will be evident that, with the connections indicated, grounding any one of the contact members 43, 44, 45, 46 or 41 will energize one or other of the solenoid coils 30 and 3I, definitely setting the switch IU to one branch track or the other during the period of grounding. My invention is directed to very considerable extent to the indicated electric circuits and the cooperating contact members adapting the circuits to be selectively closed by the passing of the trains as modified by selective hand setting of contact members not on the train.

One of the other important features of my invention is directed at the electrical connections for maintaining the setting of the switch Whenever a train is on the switch.

I accomplish this by making the train close an electric circuit through the solenoid to which the armature 29 and arm 36 are set, positioning the switch to its set positionfas long as the train is on the switch. I preferablyat this time energize only one of the solenoids but in special cases may energize both solenoids as the hold of the solenoid to which the arm 36 is temporarily adjacent far overbalances the weak pull of the other solenoid.

The term positioning asused in the specification and claims is intended to mean firmly positioning in right position for the performance of its switch function. Setting thus involves shifting to and holding in right position if the switch is first out of right position or, if the switch is already in right position, positioning the switch involves merely holding it in its set position for the insured right performance of its switch function.

I mount contact members 50 and 5I in the fixed rails along opposite sides of the switch (Figures 1 and 10).

Both members 50 and 5I are electrically connected at 52 to a contact 53 having insulated mounting on the switch operating rod 2`I and which engages either at 54 with a contact connected with the solenoid 30 when the switch is set to the branch track I4, or at 55 with a contact connected with the solenoid 3I when the switch is set to the branch track I3.

When a train is at the switch it is always on one or both of the contact members 50 and 5I ground# ing the engaged contact member or members in any suitable way that is adapted to close an elecvtric circuit through one or other of the solenoids 3U or 3I according to the position of the switch, so that the energized solenoid holds the switch in its set position.

InvFigure l0 the contact member 50 is mounted inside the grounded rail 49 so as to present its upper surface 56 normally above the top of the rail, which is suitably slotted at 51 to pass the top of the member 50.

Insulation resilient support, which may be soft rubber, is indicated at 58.

The train wheels I8 depress the member 50 even with the top of the rail 48, grounding it through the wheel to the rail.

The contact members 43 and 44 are adapted to be grounded when the train is traveling along the single track portion I2 toward the switch III by cooperating contact members 59, 60, 6I, and 62 that extend radially from an angularly adjustable transverse horizontal shaft member 63 upon the train and cooperating grounded rocker members 64 and 65.

The grounded rocker members 64 and 65 are alike. Each is pivoted at 66 and spring-pressed at 6`I to maintain an arm 68 in the path of one of the members 59, 60, 6I or 62 on the shaft 63, provided the shaft 63 has a proper angular setting, and the train is traveling toward the switch.

Preferably when the train is traveling away from the switch IIJ on to the single track I2, it fails to effect grounding of either of the terminals 43 and 44 as this might tend to throw the switch While the rearward cars of the train were still passing over it, which is obviously undesirable and under some conditions might derail the train.

In Figures 2 and 3 the train element is traveling from the left of the track I2 toward the switch I0 and the shaft member 63 is set so that its arm 59 is turned down into position to engage and deflect the grounded rocker 64 into the insulated spring contact 43 which will ener- 1 are angularly spaced 90 and at each position' gize one or other of the solenoids according to the setting of a suitable fourway electric switch member 63. l

The shaft member 63 is adapted to be set at each one of four angularly different positions, by means of a spring catch 10. These positions one of the four longitudinally and angularly spaced projections 59, 60, 6I, and 62 is down, one of the other projections straight up and the other two projections extending horizontal in opposite directions.

The members 59 and 60 are for use in selectively grounding the contacts 43 and 44 respectively when the train element carrying the shaft 63 is traveling forward toward the switch, and the members 62 and 6I are for use in grounding the contacts 43 and 44 respectively when the train is backing toward the switch l0.

'I'he shaft member 63 is set selectively in any one of the four positions, according to which contact member 43 or 44 is to be grounded and according to whether the train is moving forward toward the switch or backing toward the switch.

The contact members upon the shaft member 63 are angularly spaced 90 with respect to one another so as to avoid any interference or operation of any one of the membersexcept the one that is turned down.

The contact member 45 is illustrated as a short rail section normally insulated from the adjoining grounded rail sections but electrically connected thereto throughy train wheels when the train wheels (whichvare metal) roll on or ofi the section, and also (unless the train wheels are insulated) electrically connected to the opposite rail through the train as long as any train wheel is engaging the section.

If desired the same type of contact member may be used at 45 as is shown at 43 and 44.

inasmuch as the contact member 45 is nearer the switch I than the members 43 and 44 and is grounded by a train traveling toward the switch after any grounding of the latter members, the member 45 will determine the ultimate setting of the switch providing it is connected to either one of the solenoids 30 or 3l.

'Ihe contact member 41 when grounded will set the switch I0 so as to join the tracks I2 and I4 while if the contact member 46 is grounded the switch is set to join the track sections I2 and I3, and these contacts are respectively grounded whenever trains approach the switch from along the respective branch tracks, thereby properly setting 'the switch for the trains Whenever the switch is not already properly set.

In Figures 1 to 4, the contact4 members at 46 and 41 are alike, in general accord with those shown at 43 and 44 and adapted to be grounded by the train when the train is traveling toward the switch but not to ground when the train is traveling in the reverse direction, the structure being shown in Figure 4 for the contact member 46. l

The spring contact 46 comprises a grounded rocker member 1I, which is plvoted at 12, spring-pressed at 13 to maintain an arm 14 in position to be engaged by a suitable member or members 15 on the train, so as to be deflected away from the contact 46 if the train is traveling away from the switch.

The member or members 15 may be the wheel axles of the cars and engine or may be a portion of the shaft 63 out of line with any of the projections cooperating with the members 43 and 44.

It is obvious that the cooperating connectionsV on trains and on the track for grounding the different contacts 43, 44, 45, 46, 41, 50 and 5I may be widely variant.

Figures 5 to 9vshow a few of the many different other ways in which I may effect circuit closure for electrical operation of the switch III as the train passes the designated points on the track near the switch.

In Figure 5 the contact members 46 and 41' comprise insulated sections of one of the rails 48. These sections are connected respectively to the terminals 42 and 4I of the two solenoids as in Figure l and the grounding is effected by the train wheels to the adjacent track sections when the wheels roll on and off the sections, and during the periods that any wheel is on the section, up through the wheel and train to the other rail, and to grounded portions of the same rail away from the insulated section.

This form of connection is advantageous in that it avoids any moving parts, but is less economical of current than the form of Figures 1 to 4 in that it grounds the contact members when the trains are traveling away from the switch I0 as Well as when they are traveling toward the switch I0 and therefore at times energizes the solenoid without need.

In Figure 6 the contact sections 462 and 412 are suitable rail insets parallel to and insulated from the adjacent grounded rails 46, and normally spring pressed upwardly so that the proper solenoid circuit is closed by the wheel depressing the contact section through the faces of the train wheels in the formshownl in Figure 10 or by suitable engagementof the depressed member with a stationary member as indicated in Figure 11, either the defiecting member or the stationary member being connected to the proper solenoid circuit and the other connected to ground.

In'Figure 11 an insulated rail section 413 is electrically connected to the proper solenoid coil at 42 and resiliently supported upon a soft rubber cushion 16 froman inverted-grounded T-member 11 that may be rigidly fastened to adjoining rail sections.

The train wheel I8 effects grounding by depressing the rail section 413 ontothe inverted T-member 11. 1

In Figure '1 the contact members 464 and 41* are insulated insets between interrupted sections of the third rail in the respective branch tracks, and as in the other forms are electrically connected to the terminals 4I and 42 of the respective solenoids.

The common terminal 40 of the solenoids is grounded at 19 instead of going to the battery terminal, which connects as before-to the third rails.

order that the collector may be in continuous electrical connection with the third rail I5.

As a train is traveling toward the switch along I one of the branch tracks, the forward shoe 30 engages the insulated contact member 464 while the other contact member is still on the rearward section of the third rail and subsequently when the rearward shoe 8| reaches the intermediate member 464 the forward shoe 30 is already on the forward section of the third rail so that there are two periods of train travel, each having the length of the member 464 in which the member 464 is electrically connected through the collector |9 to the third rail and during which the third rail is therefore grounded through the solenoid coil 3U, to set the switch.

Figure 8 shows the same arrangement as in Figure 7 except that the insulated contact members 465 and 415 are inset into an uninterrupted third rail in the same way that the members 462 and 412 (Figure 6) are inset into the track rails.

It will be evident that I have not attempted to show all the different forms in which the train carried contact may be made effective to throw the switch. This would be impossible as the number is very great. However, I have tried to show a few representative mechanical and electrical ways of causing energization of the proper solenoid and wish these forms to be considered merely as suggestive.

Usually the circuit for the motor that operates the trains runs from the energized third rail to the motor and thence returns through the metal train to the grounded rails, thence to the grounded terminal of the battery, the other terminal of the battery being connected to the third rail.

It may sometimes be desirable to use parallel bus rails 82 and 83 as indicated in Figure 9 for operating the driving motor of the train, in which case the motor return circuit does not go into the rails.

I show this in Figure 9. The Contact members I66 and 416 are inset members corresponding to the members and 5| of Figures 1 and 10 in insulated rail sections 84 and 85 that are electrically connected to one of the bus bars, as 82, the other bus bar 83 being connected to the terminal 40 common to both solenoids.

The contact members 466 and 416 are respectively connected to the outer terminals 42 and 4| of the solenoids.

A train approaching the switch along the track i3 electrically connects the contact members 84 and 466 electrically connecting the live bus bars through the solenoid 30, and a train approaching the switch along the track I4 electrically connects the live bus bars through the solenoid 3|, in each case insuring a proper setting of the switch when the train reaches it.

In practice the track of the toy railway may contain many switches adapting the trains to travel in any desired number of different ways from one point to a subsequent return to the same point, and it will be understood that each one of these switches may be provided with any or all of the features disclosed for the single switch illustrated in the figures. By the means of the reverse switch 69 the same presetting upon the-train may throw all of the switches in the same direction or vary the direction of switchthrowing.

In operation a manipulator may or may not operate at a single switch only, making selective settings on the different trains so that they normally take different paths at given switches but are adapted to be sent one way or another by hand manipulation at the contact members 86 and 81.

The wire connection 88 (Figure 1) from the section 45 is adapted to be grounded at 81 and also at 86 is adapted to be connected alternatively to terminals 89 and 98 that are electrically connected respectively to the solenoid terminals 4| and 42, so that a manipulator can electrically operate or denitely set the switch Il by grounding the section 45 at 81 and operating the movable contact member 86 to ground either one of the solenoid coil terminals 4I and 42 after which any grounding of either of the contacts 43 and 44 does not affect the switch, in that the switch is already set and held to position by an energized coil 80 or 3|.

If the grounding contact at 81 is left open, a manipulator may at 86 connect the section 45 to either solenoid to energize the solenoid while the train passes over and grounds the section 45.

In this event the switch I8 might be set first by the contact 43 or 44, whichever is grounded by the passing of the train and then subsequently set by reason of the subsequent passing of the train over the contact 45, provided that the manipulator is maintaining the section 44 in connection with one or other of the solenoid terminals 4| or 42.

If the contact member 81 is grounded the manipulator is free to operate the switches by throwing the member 86 to the contacts 89 and v90 or to place the contact member 86 in an intermediate position so as to permit the operation of the contacts 43 and 44 to send the trains variantly along different branches, according to the settings upon the individual trains.

By reversing the fourway electric switch 69 the operation of all of the settings upon the individual trains will be reversed.

Obviously the selective contact members carried by the train may be at each end of the train, as upon the engine at one end and upon a caboose or other car at the other end, thus adapting the train to set a switch when backing toward the switch or going forward toward the switch, either or both, and very wide variations in the operations of the trains, both automatic and by hand control at the contact members 86 and 81, is readily obtainable.

The reversing switch 69 and the electrically operated switch 86 can both be hand-thrown by levers which show by their position the solenoidal circuits to which they correspond, i. e. the normal track switch throwing which would be caused by them and which can be varied in the case of the reversing switch 69 as indicated by diierent setting on the train.

If the switch 81 be closed to ground the operating switch 86 becomes operative when thrown and does not require the presence of a train upon the track to complete its throwing operation. will not throw the switch if the switch is already in the position to which this energization corresponds, or if the other solenoid winding is already energized and is holding the amature.

It will be seen that switches 69 and 86 considerably overlap in their functions in that each makes it possible to throw a train to one track that but for its setting would otherwise go upon the other track, but they differ in that switch 86 forms a. master switch which determines the track to which trains coming from the single track end of the switch will pass, whereas switch 69 merely reverses the initial train setting and would turn to diierent tracks trains having different initial setting. If but one train setting were used the switch 69 would accomplish merely what the switch 86 accomplishes when switch l1 is open.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benets of my intention without copying It energizes the solenoid, but, of course,'

the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, .what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a toy railroad, a switch from a single track to alternative branch tracks, a pair of oppositely acting electromagnets connected to oppositely position the switch. electrical circuits for the magnets and connections thereof on the tracks at points spaced from the switch adapted to selectively close the magnet circuits by the passage of the train toward the switch at the said points, and electrical connections adapted to be closed by and during the passage of a train over the switch for energizing the said magnets selectively and thereafter for holding the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.v

2. In a toy railroad, a switch, a single track connected to one end thereof and branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect its other end alternately, a pair of electric circuits each including means respectively adapted to hold the switch to the one branch track and to the other branch track, and contact connections in the respective circuits at the switch adapted to be closed by a train on the switch.

3. In a toy railroad, a switch, a single track connected to one end thereof and branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect its other end alternately, a pair of electric circuits each including means respectively adapted to hold the switch to the one branch track and to the other branch track and contact connections at the switch respectively closed by a train on the switch and when closed, closing the one circuit when the switch is set to the one branch track and closing the other circuit when the switch is set to the other branch track.

4. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanism including reversely acting solenoids, one for each track at the twotrack end of the switch for throwing the track switch and connections operating between the car and the track for reversely energizing the solenoids with operation of the car on the respective tracks on the two-track end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, and other connections to the said solenoids including con` tacts closed by the passage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

5. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanism including reversely acting solenoids for shifting the track switch to the respective tracks at the two-track end of the switch, hand-controlled means for energizing the respective 'solenoids and connections operating between the car and the track for energizing the solenoids with operation of the car on the respective tracks on the two-track end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, and other connections to the said solenoids including contacts closed by the passage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

6. In a toy electric railway, a- Y track switch, switch throw mechanism including reversely acting solenoids for shifting the track switch tothe respective tracks at the two-track end of the switch and connections operating between the car and the track for energizing the solenoids with operation of the car on the respective tracks on the two-track end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, said connections operating through a contact carried by the car electrically connecting the track and a conductor along the track and insulated therefrom, and other connections to the said solenoids including contacts closed by the passage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

7. In a toy electric railway, a Y track switch, switch throw mechanism including reversely acting solenoids for reversely throwing the track switch and connections operating between the car and the track for energizing the respective solenoids with operation of the car from eitherr the two-track end or the single end of the Y, said connections operating through the track, a contact along and insulated from the track and a second contact carried by the car electrically connecting the said track and rst contact and other connections to the said solenoids including contacts closed by the passage of a car at the switch and other contacts selectively closed by the switch according to the position thereof to selectively energize the solenoids and thereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

8. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switch with movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track to either one or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track, a source of electric power so connected to thetrack as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magnetic means for shifting said switch points, a conducting element in each of the two rails of a branch track, insulated from each other to form the contact points of an electric switch, and circuit means operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches the main track from the branch track to supply current from said source through the'wheels and axles of the vehicle and through the said contact elements to energize said electromagnetic means.

9. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switch with movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track to one or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track, a source of electric power so connected tothe track as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magnetic means for shifting said switch points, said electro-magnetic means having two operating windings, one for shifting the switch points in one' direction and the other for shifting the switch points in the opposite direction, a conducting element in each rail of each branch track, the two conducting elements in each pair of rails insulated i'rom each other to form th'e contact points of an electric switch to control one winding of the electro-magnetic means, and circuit means operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches the main track from either branch track to supply current from said source through the wheels and axles of the vehicle and through said conducting elements to energize the proper winding of the electro-magnetic means to automatically move the switch points to guide the vehicle from that branch track to the main track.

10. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switch with movable switch points for guiding the vehicle from one or the other of the branch tracks to the main track or from the main track to one or the other of the branch tracks, a source of electric power so connected to the track as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magnetic means lfor shifting the switch points, a conducting element in each of the two rails of one branch track insulated from each other to form the contact points of an electric switch, and circuit means operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches the main track from the branch track to supply current from said source through the wheels and axles of the vehicle, and through said contact elements to control said electro-magnetic means, in combination with a hand operated electric switch also arranged to complete a circuit to control said electro-magnetic means from said source of power whereby as the contact lever is moved to touch either of two contact posts a connection is closed through the associated circuits to complete a circuit to energize said electro-magnetic means.

. 11. In a railway, a main track with two branch tracks, a track switch with movable switch points for guiding a vehicle from the main track to one or the other of the two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track, a source of electric power so connected to the track as to propel the vehicle as it passes along the track, electro-magnetic means for shifting said switch points, said electro-magnetic means having two operating windings, one for shifting the switch points in one direction and the other for shifting the switch points in the opposite direction, a conducting element in each of the two rails of each branch track, the two conducting elements in each rail or rails being insulated from each other, to form the contact points of an electric switch to control one winding of the electromagnetic means and circuit means operated by said electric switch as the vehicle approaches the main track from either branch track, to supply current from said power source through the wheels and axles of the vehicle and through the said conducting elements to energize the proper winding of said electro-magnetic means to automatically shift the switch points to guide the vehicle from that branch track to the main track, in combination with a hand operated electric switch with a. movable switch lever arranged to make contact with one or the other of the two contact posts to complete circuits to control said electro-magnetic means from said source of power whereby as the contact lever is moved to touch a contact post a connection is closed through the associated circuits to complete a circuit to energize said electro-magnetic means thus shifting the switch points to guide the vehicle to the track desired.

12. In an electric railway, a main track with two branches, said main track and branch tracks each comprising two rails for guiding the wheels of a vehicle and a power conductor insulated from the rails said power conductor being connected to one terminal of the power source and said rails being connected to the other terminal of the power source to act as a return conductor, whereby power may be supplied to the vehicle to propel same on the track, a switch with movable switch points for guiding a Vehicle from the main track to one or the other of two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track. electromagnetic means for shifting saidswitch points, a conducting element in one rail member of one branch track, and insulated from the remainder of the rail member and from the associated rail member, a connection from the said conducting element to a terminal of said electro-magnetic means and a connection from another terminal of said electro-magnetic means to the terminal of the power source which is connected to the power conductor whereby a connection is closed through the wheels and axles of the vehicle to said conducting element and the opposite rail member of the branch track to complete a circuit to energize said electro-magnetic means.

13. In an electric railway, a main track with two branch tracks said main and branch tracks cach comprising two rails for guiding the wheels of the vehicle and a power conductor insulated 1" rom the rails, said conductor being connected to one terminal of the power source and said rails being connected to another terminal of the power source to act as a power return conductor whereby the power may be Supplied to the vehicle to propel the same on the track a switch with movable switch points for guiding the vehicle from the main track to one or the other of two branch tracks or from either branch track to the main track, electro-magnetic means for shifting the switch points said electro-magnetic means having two operating windings one for shifting the switch points in one direction and the other for shifting the switch points in the opposite direction, a conducting element in one rail member of each branch track and each conducting element insulated from the remainder cf said I.

rail member and from the associated rail member, a connection from one of said conducting elements to a terminal of one of the operating windings of the electro-magnetic means and a connection from the other conducting element to a terminal of the other winding of the electromagnetic means, a connection from another terminal of each of the two operating windings of the electro-magnetic means to the terminal of the power source which is also connected to the power conductor associated with the track rails, whereby a connection is closed through the wheels and axles of the vehicle approaching the main track from either branch track to said conducting element and the opposite rail member of that branch track to complete a circuit to energize the proper winding of the electro-magnetic means to shift the switch points so as to guide the vehicle from that branch track to the main track.

14. In a toy railroad, a single track, a. track switch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect its other end alternatively, electric circuits adapted to be selectively closed to set the switch to the respective branch tracks, a contact member in the single track which is always closed by a train moving toward the switch on the track and electrical connections including a stationary hand operated electrical switch for placing the contact member at the track alternatively in either circuit, whereby a person playing with the toy railroad` can determine the way in which the train will travel without stopping the train and nevertheless can have the pleasure of seeing the switch shifted automatically by a train moving toward the switch on the track.

l5. In a toy railroad, a single track, a track switch having one end connected to the single track, p branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect its other end alternatively, electric circuits adapted to be selectively closed to set the switch to the respective branch tracks, a Contact member inthe single track which is always closed by a train moving toward the switch on the track and electricalconnections including a stationary hand operated electrical switch for placing the contact member at the track alternatively in either circuit and means for alternatively connecting the contact member to ground, whereby a person playing with the toy railroad can determine the way in which the train will travel without stopping the train and nevertheless can have the pleasure of seeing the switch shifted automatically by a train moving toward the switch on the track.

16. In a toy railroad, a single track, a track switch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the switch is adapted to connect its other end alternatively, a pair of electric circuits one of which is .adapted when closed, to set the switch to one branch track and the other adapted when closed, to set the switch to the other branch track, a pair of contacts on the single track before the switch in the respective electric circuits, a train, a contact member on the train adapted to selectively engage one or other of the pair of contact members in order to set the switch to one branch or the other according to the selective adjustment on the train, electrical connections including another contact member on the single track nearer to the switch than the pair of contact members and including a hand adjustment adapted to place the said other contact member into either of the circuits at will and the said other contact memberv being adapted to cooperate with the train so that the passage of the train effects circuit closure at the contact member nearer the switch to set the switch either way, according to the position of the hand adjustment, whereby the Vaction of the contact member on the train in setting the switch may be countermanded at will by the hand adjustment.

17. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical switch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the rail sections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, an electric circuit having a contact on one branch track and including electro-magnetic means in the circuit adapting closure of the circuit to shift the kswitch when it is otherwise ythrown and position the switch to the said one branch track, in combination with means on la train for closing the circuit-at the contact when the train is approaching the switch along the said one branch track, a second circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a train on the switch and including the electromagnetic means of the said first circuit adapted with closure of the said second circuit to hold the switch in the position determined by the first circuit and a contact means actuated by the switch for energizing the electromagnetic means when a train is on the switch. v

18. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical s'witch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the rail sections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, a switch point adapted to guide trains from the single track to either branch track or vice versa, an electric circuit having a contact on one branch track and including electromagnetic means adapting closure of the circuit to shift the switch point when it is in one position and a second electric circuit having a contact in the other branch track and including electromagnetic means adapted when closed to shift the switch point when it is in the other position, in combination with means on a train for closing the respective circuits at the respective contacts when the train approaches the switch along the respective branch tracks, a third circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a train on the switch and including the means of the first or second circuit for respectively positioning the switch in its limiting positions and means adapting the switch by its position to selectively determine which of the alternative means is effectively included in the said third circuit.

19. In a toy railroad, a single track, a mechanical switch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the rail sections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, a rail section in one of the branch tracks insulated from the adjoining rail sections, an electric circuit adapted to be closed by electrically connecting the insulated section to the adjoining sections and including electromagnetic means in the circuit adaptingv closure of the circuit to shift the switch when it is otherwise thrown and position the switch to the said one branch track, the passage of a train over the insulating section completing the circuit to set the switch to the said one branch track, a second circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a train on the mechanical switch and including said electromagnetic means to hold the switch in its limiting position and means adapting the mechanical switch by its own position to complete the said second circuit through said electromagnetic means.

20. In a toy railroad for electric trains, a single track, a mechanical switch having one end connected to the single track, branch tracks to which the rail sections of the switch connect at the other end of the switch, a third rail along one of the branch tracks for feeding current for operating the train, a contact member mounted in the third rail and insulated therefrom and adapted to be electrically connected to the third rail by a collecting shoe of the train when the train passes over the branch track toward the switch, in combination with an electric circuit including the third rail and the contact member and adapted to be closed by any electric connection between the third rail and contact member and including electromagnetic means adapting closure of the circuit to shift the switch when it is otherwise thrown and position the switch to the said one branch track, a second circuit adapted to be closed by the presence of a train on the mechanical switch and including said electromagnetic means adapted with closure of the second circuit to hold the switch in its limiting position, and means adapting the mechanical switch by its own position to complete the said second circuit through said electromagnetic means.

21. In a toy electric railway, a Y` track switch, switch throw mechanism including reversely acting solenoids for reversely throwing the track switch and connections operating between the car and the track for energizing the respective solenoids with operation 'of the car from the twotrack end of the Y toward the single track end thereof, said connections operating through relatively insulated relatively movable normally to the position thereof to selectively energize the solenods and thereby hold the switch in its set position while the train is on the switch.

WILLIAM E. HAUPT. 

